Support structure for basketball board and hoop combinations

ABSTRACT

Basketball hoop and board support structure constructed for mounting to an upright standard. The support structure basically comprises a three dimensional parallelogram having nominally parallel but adjustable parallelogram bars and also vertical, forward and rearward elemental frame structures. The aforementioned bars are pivoted to the frame structures, and an extensible, telescoping brace structure is positioned between opposite ends, at top and bottom, and centrally of the composite frame structure presented, so as to hold the parallelogram structure in a pre-selected position, the brace comprises inner and outer tubes. A bolt is screw threaded to the outer tube and engages the inner tube to lock to two against relative movement. A spring is fitted around the bolt between the inner and outer tubes to help hold them in position when the bolt is loosened. The brace structure is adjustable at the length so that the interior angles of the parallelogram may be adjusted, thereby automatically adjusting the height disposition, relative to standard attachment, of the forward elemental frame structure as well as the basket, or hoop, and basketball board attached thereto. The interior bracing structure is preferably supplied with a detent that can be selected and positively engaged, whereby to secure the basketball hoop in a predetermined vertical position.

United States Patent [19 Pulley I SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR BASKETBALL BOARDAND HOOP COMBINAT IONS [75] Inventor: Harvey E. Pulley, Near WestJordan, Utah [52] US. Cl. 273/15 R, 248/284 [51] Int. Cl A63!) 63/04[58] Field of Search 273/1.5 R, 1.5 A; 248/4, 248/284, 413

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,227,310 12/1940 'Hoppes eta1. 273/l.5 R 3,586,324 6/1971 Bearson 283/l.5 R 2,757,888 8/1956Branstrator. 248/4 3,462,102 8/1969 Rivers 248/284 X 3,184,207 5/1965l-lermanns eta .L 248/413 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 7 908,05510/1962 Great Britain 273/15 R 1,152,846 5/1969 Great Britain 27311.5 R275,125 5/1951 Switzerland 248/413 44-5893 6/1969 Japan 248/284 PrimaryExaminerAnton O; Oe chsle I Assistant Examiner-Paul E. Shapiro [1113,802,702 1 511 Apr. 9, 1974 57] ABSTRACT Basketball hoop and boardsupport structure consition, the brace comprises inner and outer tubes.A

bolt is screw threaded to the outer tube and engages the inner tube tolock to two against relative movement. A spring is fitted'around thebolt between the inner and outer tubes to help hold them in positionwhen the bolt is loosened. The brace structure is adjustable at thelength so that the interior angles of the parallelogram may be adjusted,thereby automatically adjusting the height disposition, relative tostandard attachment, of the forward elemental frame structure 'as wellas the basket, or hoop, and basketball board attached thereto.Theinterior bracing structure is preferably supplied with a detent thatcan be selected Yand positively engaged, whereby to secure thebasketball hoop in a predetermined vertical position.

' 1 Claim, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR' 9 m4 Eww I t 56 lF/G. 4

. can beadjusted as to height. When larger boys come the hoop can beerected to a higher position whereas for the small boys both hoop andboard may be lowered.

The present invention accomplishes this objective by providing structurein the-form of a three dimensional parallelogram, having corner apiceswhich are pivoted for desired condition. Accordingly, the pivotstructures provided provide that the forward elemental frame structureof the invention may be raised or lowered relative to the rearwardelemental frame structure, the latter being attached to the standard. Aninterior brace .provided whereby during or after basketball hoopselection for height, the brace may be tightened conveniently so as toassure that the parallelograms structure will remain rigid.

The bracing structure itself is a telescoping structure havingadjustable beams for accomplishing a detent, to

thereby pre-select orregulate the degree orlength of extension of theinterior member of the telescoping brace relative to its exteriorportion. Stop and spring means are also provided, together withadjustable handle and appropriate means cooperative therewith.

Accordingly, a principal object of the present invention is to providenew and approved structure useable in or with or supplementing currentbasketball standards, the same being opperative to lower a basketballhoop and board combination or, alternatively, raise the same as desired.g

A further object is to provide, as structure useable for tying abasketball board to an upright standard in unique structure taking theform of an adjustable parallelogram, and means for fixing the interiorangles and hence the degree of orientation of the parallelogramstructure.

An additional object is to provide a three dimensional parallelogramstructure for basketball boards,

hoops, and the like, which structure is pivoted at its apices so thatrelative vertical adjustment can be had betwwen the forward elementalframe and the rearward elemental frame thereof.

An additional object is to provide a telescoping brace structurebasketball standards, this preferably having locking means, and the samebeing useful for selective adjusting basketball apparatus for andmannerplacement. in

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel areset forth with particularity in the appended claims. The presentinvention, both as to its organization andmanner of operation, togetherwith further objectiand advantages thereof, may best be un derstood byreference to the following description, taken ;in connection with theaccompanying drawingin which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the structure of the present inventionincorporating the brace structure v a 2 provided; for convenience ofillustration the basket and board, themselves forming no part of theinvention, are

disclosed in phantom lines. 1

FIG. 2 is a side elevation in reduced scale of the structure in FIG. 1.r V

FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2 but illustrates the structure FIG. 1 ashaving been pulled downwardly relative to the front elemental frame, thesame also incorporating the brace structure, this time elongated.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view, portions of which are insection, of the central extensible brace structure of the invention.

For convenience of I illustration, cross-bracing is shown solely inFIG. 1. The essence of the invention is the presentation of supportstructure for supporting a basketball hoop and board from an uprightstandard wall or the like. The structure comprises of a threedimensional'parallelogram pivot means for which are provided atrespective apices.

A vertical post or a standard 10 has secured to it a frame 11. Frame 11includes rear elemental frame 12 made up of angle iron braces 13, 14, 15and 16. These may be all welded together, if desired. Additionally,straps 17 and 18 are welded to standard 10 at W1 and W2 and are likewisesecured at their ends by welding or other means to elemental frame 12.

Corespondingly, a front elemental frame 18 comprises frame member 19,20, 21 and 22, all comprising angle iron members being welded at therespective corners as shown. Each of the elemental frames 12and 18include respective pivots 23,24, 25.and 26, as to the front elementalframe 18, and also pivots 27-30 which are provided the rear elementalframe 12. These pivots secure opposite ends of equal-lengthparallelogram bars Ill-34, as seen, the latter having cross-braces J, K,L, M secured thereto. The pivot means may comprise bolt and nutattachments, pin and clevis attachments, and so forth.

In any event, the rearward elemental frame 12 is pro vided a forwardlyfacing clevis 35, whereas the forward elemental frame 18 is providedwith a rearwardly facing clevis 36. Pivot means 37 and 38 coact with theopposite ends 39 and 40 of brace structure 41.

A detail of brace structure 41 is illustrated-in FIG. 4. The same isshown to comprise a tubular channel mem ber 42 of rectangular crosssection, the same having an aperture or aperture 43. A not 44 may bewelded at 45 to member 42. An aperture 46 receives the threaded shank 47of turndown bolt 48. The latter is provided with handle 49. Shank 47 maybe threaded into a boss 50 of the structure, as in 51.

Extension member 52 is provided with an aperture or apertures 53 andalso with an upstanding member 54 serving as a stop device. Member 52includes upper friction surface 55 which cooperates with end 56 of shank47 to effect a friction or set-screw type lock upon the turning ofhandle 49. Spring 58; is disposed over the shank between extensionmember 52 and the innerwall 59 of member 42 and its friction effect sothat spring end will tend to retain member 52 in place when handle 49 isloosened.

In operation, the extension member 52 may be extended in and out ofmember 42. Accordingly, if the basket B and its board A are to belowered, then the user would simply pull vertically downwardly upon theboard orframe structure, this prior to loosening the detent handle bolt48.

- Once the correct position is reached, then the handle may be turneddown within nut 44, the latter being affixed at 45 to member 42, so thata friction lock as between the bolt shank 47 and surface 55 ismaintained. The board A itself may be secured as by attachments T to theelemental frame structure at 18. The basket, of course, may be attachedby any suitable means such as bolt means D to the forwardelemental-frame 18.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shownand described; it will be obvious to those skilled in the art thatchanges and modifications may be made without departing from thisinvention in its broader aspects, and, therefore, the aim in theappended claims is to cover all such changesand modifications that fallwithin the true spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. Basketball hoop and board support structure including',incombination: front and rear, vertical elemental frames; plural spacedpivot means disposed on opposite sides of said frames; a pair of sets ofparallelogram bars respectively disposed on opposite sides of saidframes and pivotally attached to said pivot means;

and extensible brace means for fixing the vertical disposition of saidfront elemental frame relative to said rear elemental frame upon thepivotal repositioning of said bars, wherein said brace means comprisesan outer tubular member receiving an inner telescoping member, and meansconnected to said outer tubular member for adjustably fixing thedisposition of said inner telescoping member relative to said outertubular member, wherein said outer tubular member includes means forthreadedly and thereby adjustably engaging said inner tubular member,said support structure including compression spring means disposedtransversely within said outer tubular member and circumscribing saidadjustably engaging means.

1. Basketball hoop and board support structure including, incombination: front and rear, vertical elemental frames; plural spacedpivot means disposed on opposite sides of said frames; a pair of sets ofparallelogram bars respectively disposed on opposite sides of saidframes and pivotally attached to said pivot means; and extensible bracemeans for fixing the vertical disposition of said front elemental framerelative to said rear elemental frame upon the pivotal repositioning ofsaid bars, wherein said brace means comprises an outer tubular memberreceiving an inner telescoping member, and means connected to said outertubular member for adjustably fixing the disposition of said innertelescoping member relative to said outer tubular member, wherein saidouter tubular member includes means for threadedly and therebyadjustably engaging said inner tubular member, said support structureincluding compression spring means disposed transversely within saidouter tubular member and circumscribing said adjustably engaging means.